Sharpdome technology

The Sharpdome technology offers innovative mechanics that make the entire dome rotate, in contrast to a conventional dome where the camera rotates inside the dome. The mechanics and the ideal placement of the camera module together with the unique design of the outdoor dome enable the same optimal image sharpness and full scene fidelity in all pan and tilt positions. This provides clear identification of objects as much as 20° above the camera horizon making these cameras suitable for uneven terrain.

The Sharpdome technology includesAxis' unique Speed Dry function that helps to provide sharp images in rainy weather. It can also simplify dome cleaning, allowing for more efficient methods such as high pressure cleaning. With the Speed Dry function activated, the dome vibrates at high speed. It breaks the surface tension of the water and removes the drips.

Snapshot from camera before (at left) and after activation of Speed Dry function from camera Live View page (at right).

Background

Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras are highly useful for monitoring a vast variety of public locations, such as shopping malls, roads or sports arenas. The camera can pan and tilt to cover wide areas, and zoom in on different points of interest. However, a camera mounted in a conventional dome cannot see above its own horizon. This poses a problem in surroundings with differences in altitude, such as escalators, hilly roads or steep stands. The inability to see upwards limits the usefulness of PTZ cameras mounted in conventional domes.

Due to the manufacturing process, a conventional camera dome is not a perfect sphere. Because of this, the image produced by the camera inside the dome will be distorted. Also, when the camera is tilted, the distance between the camera lens and the transparent covering varies, which gives rise to reflections. With SharpDome, these problems are now part of the past.

The L-value is an important value that sets the conditions for the image resolution. To achieve optimum image quality, the optical axis of the camera block should be at the center point of the sphere, that is, where the L-value is 0.90°